Fire at Stanford Linear Accelerator causes no injuries or threat to public

MENLO PARK, Calif. – Authorities say a smoky fire at the Stanford Linear caused no injuries or and posed no threat to the public.

The report came into the Menlo Park Fire Department shortly before 0500 GMT Thursday from the San Francisco area research centre, which studies particle physics and radiation science.

Menlo Park Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman says heavy black smoke from the two-mile (3-kms) long accelerator structure under Interstate Highway 280 affected traffic on the roadway.

He says crews first shut down the affected area of the accelerator and then used suppression units against the fire. The blaze was brought under control about 45 minutes after it was reported.

Schapelhouman says it appears to have started in an electrical switching cabinet, but its cause will be investigated.